The short answer
Washington expects a title when a car changes hands, and that includes selling it to a junkyard. Licensed vehicle wreckers can only take a car with ownership documents the state accepts. If you're the owner of record and the title is lost or stolen, a signed affidavit of lost or stolen title is one of them.
What a Washington wrecker can accept
Under Washington Administrative Code 308-63-080, a licensed vehicle wrecker may acquire a vehicle with any of these:
- A certificate of title, including a salvage title.
- An affidavit of lost or stolen title, signed by the registered and legal owner of record.
- A bill of sale for a vehicle from a state that doesn't issue titles, or for a vehicle whose title was surrendered after an insurance total loss.
- An insurance company bill of sale.
- An affidavit of sale of an abandoned vehicle, or an affidavit of junk vehicle under RCW 46.55.230 (these are for property owners dealing with abandoned cars, not for owners selling their own car).
- A court order.
If the car isn't titled in your name
If you bought the car but never transferred the title, the wrecker generally needs the title signed over by the owner of record. Track down the seller or get the title transferred first; a wrecker can't simply take your word for it.
After you sell: report the sale
Washington law (RCW 46.12.650) has the owner report the sale to the Department of Licensing, a county auditor or a licensing agent within five business days. The report needs the date of sale, both names and current addresses, the VIN and the plate number.
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Common questions
Can you junk a car without a title in Washington?
Only with another document the state accepts. If you're the registered and legal owner and the title is lost or stolen, a licensed wrecker can take your signed affidavit of lost or stolen title. Other accepted documents include insurance bills of sale and court orders.
What is a junk vehicle affidavit in Washington?
It's a form a property owner uses for a junk vehicle abandoned on their land, under RCW 46.55.230. It isn't the route for an owner selling their own car.
Do I have to report selling my car to a junkyard in Washington?
Yes. Report the sale within five business days, with the date, both names and addresses, the VIN and the plate number.
Checked against official sources on October 29, 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the agency or business before you act.